See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.

We have also collated the information on this page and the application form into a nomination pack (Word, 163KB) that you can download and share.

The deadline for applications is 14 January 2019. Applications are processed on a first come first served basis. For your first application to be considered, you must submit all of the required supporting documents and have an enhanced DBS within three years of the course start date.

Courses in related subject areas

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

We require a relevant Lower Second honours degree or above. See the Professional entry qualification section for further professional requirements.

English language

International students must demonstrate English proficiency through a secure and approved testing system. We ask for English language proof from applicants from countries that are not majority English-speaking countries (a list of majority English-speaking countries, as defined by the UK Home Office, can be found here
).

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Professional entry qualification

You must have the following in addition to meeting our academic entry requirements.

Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (for pharmacists) or the Nursing and Midwifery Council (for nurses).

An agreement with a medical practitioner to act as your Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP) during the 12 days of learning in practice. See the Other entry requirements section for more details.

Relevant post-registration clinical experience if you are a nurse or midwife. You should also have relevant experience in the field in which you intend to prescribe.

At least two years' post-qualification patient-focused experience in hospital, community or a primary care setting if you are a pharmacist.

Please note that this course is only accredited for nurses, midwives, health visitors and pharmacists.

Other entry requirements

You must have access to a computer with fast and reliable internet connection. There is a minimum level of computer skills required, including the ability to:

navigate the Blackboard learner management system to locate teaching and learning materials and to access and submit assessments (with initial basic training);

work efficiently with Word (or similar) and PowerPoint programs;

use the internet to search websites;

navigate e-learning programs.

Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP) requirements

Your DMP must be a registered medical practitioner who:

has normally had at least three years' recent clinical experience for a group of patient/clients in the relevant field of practice;

is within a GP practice and is either vocationally trained or is in possession of a certificate of equivalent experience from the Joint Committee for Postgraduate Training in General Practice Certificate or is a specialist registrar, clinical assistant or a consultant within a NHS Trust or other NHS employer;

has the support of the employing organisation or GP practice to act as the DMP who will provide supervision, support and opportunities to develop the students competence in prescribing practice.

Attendance at an introductory webinar in February (date to be confirmed) is mandatory for all successful applicants and their DMPs. Please note that DMPs must not receive any payment for supervising your practice.

If you work in community pharmacy, your DMP is most likely going to be a GP. You should start by approaching GPs who you have an existing relationship with, and highlight the benefits that a pharmacist can bring to the MDT.

Application and selection

How to apply

See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.

We have also collated the information on this page and the application form into a nomination pack
(Word, 163KB) that you can download and share.

The deadline for applications is 14 January 2019. Applications are processed on a first come first served basis. For your first application to be considered, you must submit all of the required supporting documents and have an enhanced DBS within three years of the course start date.

You should also ensure that your references support your application and demonstrate that you have the required knowledge to complete the course.

For your first application to be considered, you must submit all of the required supporting documents and have an enhanced DBS within three years of the end of the course in June 2019.

Interview requirements

All applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will be offered a telephone interview.

Places are allocated on the basis of a successful interview.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.

Course details

Course description

Our Independent Prescribing short course will enable healthcare professionals to take on the role of an independent prescriber in their area of practice.

Pharmacists and nurses/midwives are taught together to facilitate multidisciplinary learning and working. A large proportion of the learning will be delivered online, providing a flexible approach to learning by allowing students the benefit of studying this in their own time.

This 30-credit course is available for study at level 7 (master's level). The course runs over four months and normally has two intakes each year in September and March.

The course includes eight days of compulsory university-attended sessions (nine for nurses/midwives) and 18 days of self-directed learning, which will be delivered through e-learning and self-directed study.

In addition, you must undertake 12 days of supervised practice with your designated medical practitioner.

Please note that successful completion of an accredited course is not a guarantee of annotation or of future employment as an independent prescriber.

Please check online for course dates. If there are no dates for your preferred cohort, please contact us to enquire. Attendance at all teaching and assessment days is mandatory, so it is important to confirm that you are able to attend them all before you apply.

Please check online for details of fees, which may be subject to change and apply only to the dates given.

Aims

The course aims to use your current experiences of practice and encourage the development and application of new knowledge and skills to practice.

We aim to:

enable you to successfully meet the standards set out by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), allowing you to apply for registration to practice as an independent prescriber;

produce competent non-medical prescribers who can provide safe, effective and evidence-based prescribing to address the needs of patients in practice;

enable pharmacists and nurses to develop the skills, knowledge and attributes required for safe and effective prescribing practice;

help you develop a systematic, evidence-based and reflective approach to independent prescribing practice;

identify your own learning needs, develop as a critically reflective practitioner and advance your own learning to sustain continuing professional development, and work at the forefront of your profession.

Additional course information

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Do I need an NMP lead signature on my application form?

Not if you are self-funding. If you are being financially supported HENW, then yes.

What does a level 7 course mean and are the credits transferable?

Level 7 study is master's level, which means that you must have an undergraduate degree to undertake this course. The course offers 30 credits, which may be transferrable to other courses. We would advise that you check with the other courses in the first instance.

Can I pay the course fees in instalments?

No, due to university regulations, it is not possible to pay fees in instalments for this course. All fees must be paid prior to commencing the course.

Teaching and learning

A range of teaching methods are used to develop the knowledge and understanding, practical skills, intellectual skills and personal qualities required to become a competent prescriber.

Learning is divided into two units, which will be delivered online as weekly content designed to complement the university-based study sessions.

The online material can be studied in your own time, and will involve directed reading, online discussion and learning activities. As such, you need to be self-motivated to learn in your own time. You must also have a fairly good level of IT skills, as the learning requires you to navigate Blackboard and an electronic portfolio.

The eight university-based study days are designed to enhance student learning by providing the opportunity to take a hands-on approach to learning including group activities, teaching OSCEs, and practical skill sessions.

A minimum of 12 days' learning in practice under the supervision of a designated medical practitioner should be carried out during the four-month course. During this time, students are required to complete a reflective practice portfolio to document and reflect on their learning.

Please note that this is an accelerated course that covers a large amount of learning in a very short space of time. You will need to engage fully with the course, as you will need to complete 26 days of learning and 12 days of supervised practice in this timescale.

Only you can decide whether this approach works for you, but you must be prepared to commit fully for the duration of the course.

March 2019 cohort teaching dates

Induction webinar (students) - Wednesday 20 February, 7.30pm

Induction webinar (DMPs) - Thursday 21 February, 7.30pm

Teaching
(9am-5pm, except 13 March which is 8.30am start)

12-13 March

14 March (mandatory for nurses/midwives and optional for pharmacists)

9-10 April

30 April - 1 May

4-5 June

Assessments

25 June, 10am - 12.30pm - exam

26 June, time TBC during course - OSCE

3 July, midday - portfolio deadline

Coursework and assessment

We use the following assessment methods:

two and a quarter-hour multiple choice question (MCQ) and short answer examination;

six-station Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE);

reflective practice portfolio linked to development of competence in practice.

Course unit details

The course will cover:

assessment, consultation skills and history taking;

legal and professional issues relating to independent prescribing;

decision making and evidence based prescribing;

psychological and ethical issues applied to prescribing;

pharmacology and drug actions;

leadership, accountability and clinical governance.

Much of the curriculum has been determined by the NMC and the GPhC.

The learning material is divided into two units which run concurrently.

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service.

Careers

Career opportunities

After completing this course, you are eligible to register as an independent prescriber with either the NMC (if you are a nurse, midwife or health visitor) or the GPhC (if you are a pharmacist). This course is the same as a V300 course.